Bachelor of Science (BS) in Equine General Studies

Combine your love of horses with your passion for _________.

You know you want to work in the equestrian industry but you have other interests as well — maybe it’s art, business or communications. The William Woods University Bachelor of Equine General Studies degree prepares you for many ‘behind-the-scenes’ opportunities. There is fundraising, organizing, promotion and purchasing. There is therapy, leadership, media and art. This bachelor’s degree helps you pursue your dream vocation, while specializing in the industry you love. Whether you want to ride, write, photograph, manage, create art or any other, the equine general studies major will put you on course to pursuing your dream.

Skills you will learn include:

The ability to communicate effectively through social media and other marketing platforms

The ability to understand issues in the horse industry from both the livestock and companion animal viewpoint

Knowledge of current political issues involving the horse

Skills to excel at communicating with clientele, professionals and peers

The exceptional ability to problem solve and think creatively

The specific skills and techniques required in each selected concentration

Extracurricular learning:

Organizations

Get involved with other students who share your interests. Join a publication and pursue your passion — whether it’s graphic design or photography. Or start working with equine assisted therapies right on campus. We also have five equestrian organizations on campus, open to all students, regardless of major. There is a club for each seat: Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Saddle Seat, and Western.

Shows

William Woods participates in a number of national and international horse shows each year, in which all students are invited to participate. Showing at these events teaches poise, sportsmanship and responsibility and provides opportunities to come in contact with prospective employers. Shows range from local schooling shows to “A” rated national shows such as:

The American Royal in Kansas City

The St. Louis National Charity Horse Show

The Morgan Grand Nationals

Color Breed Congress

Pinto World Championships

Sport Horse Nationals

The Central State Regional Dressage Finals

We also host a variety of shows on campus throughout the year.

Equestrian Clinics and seminars

In addition to instruction from our own nationally renowned faculty members, you will learn from top industry professionals in various clinics and seminars. Clinicians include Smith Lilly, Richard Shrake, Ann Judge, Jeff Cook, Melanie Smith-Taylor, Betsy Steiner, and Pierre St. Jacque.

Regional, national, and international field trips

Field trips include visits to area professional horse training facilities, the Veterinary School at the University of Missouri, horse shows, and museums. Special courses have given students the opportunity to tour show horse barns in Kentucky and Missouri, ride with professional horse trainers in Oregon and Hawaii, and tour and ride in famous horse facilities in England and France. Faculty have taken students to volunteer at horse shows including the U.S. Dressage Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Facilities

On-campus equestrian facilities: an optimal learning environment

150 show-quality horses

Four heated barns with a total of 150 box stalls

Eight tack rooms

Two heated indoor arenas

Lighted outdoor ring

Outdoor round pen

Four turnout paddocks

Two fully equipped, technology-enhanced classrooms

40-acre cross-country course

Six wash stalls

USEF regulation jumps

USEF regulation Dressage area

Student lockers and laundry

Few educational institutions can match William Woods University for its on-campus equine facilities that accommodate riding, care and study at all levels and seats. Our classrooms include an extensive video library and viewing equipment, and our dedicated library includes more than 1,000 books on all aspects of the field, from history and physiology to behavior, training, law, and competition. Our more than 150 horses represent the most popular breeds and are cared for by William Woods students and our full-time, on-site veterinarian.

The Center for Equine Medicine

Our large, modern equestrian complex that will provide you with an excellent educational experience in both classroom and the field.

The center includes:

A full-time doctor of veterinary medicine who has an extensive background in sports medicine, reproduction as well as general equine medicine and surgery

A 17-acre property located within blocks of the university — ideally suited for continued equine research and care

A facility that includes classroom space, a large indoor riding facility, six horse stalls, an isolation area for ill and contagious horses and a home for the veterinarian and his family, which allows him to be on-site in case of emergency

The unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on classroom environment that will enhance your education, including the opportunity to assist with emergency care and treatment, perform research and gain hands-on clinical experience

Career opportunities

The list of opportunities within equine industries and business organizations is endless.

Perspectives

I feel that my proudest moments are when I see our graduates working in the industry. I think that my role has played out well, that of being a springboard for our students to be able to be successful.

— Jean Krause, Professor, Equestrian Studies

The sky’s the limit. This place will put you in touch with people you should know.

— Jennifer Petterson, Division Chair, Equestrian Studies

There’s no finish line. You just keep learning and getting better for the rest of your life.

— Gayle Lampe, Professor Emeritus, Equestrian Studies

Requirements/Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Equine General Studies degree at William Woods University consists of 122 distinct credit hours for graduation—including 23 core major credits, 6-10 required elective credits, and a 15-20 credit concentration in Art, Equestrian Leadership, Equestrian Studies, Equine Media, or Equine Assisted Therapies.

Courses you may take

BUS 206

Entrepreneurship

3.00

A straightforward, fundamental approach to managing a small firm. Students will organize, interpret data and show the proper procedures in planning, operating, directing, and evaluating a new small business.

BUS 332

Business Communications

3.00

Formulate and develop the business/management communication process and its functions in a business environment. All types of business communications will be analyzed, practiced, and assessed

EQU 111

Introduction to the Horse Industry

3.00

This course is an introduction to equestrians and horse organizations and their objectives including the extent of horse sport on the national and international level. The role of the horse in today’s society will be explored. The four WWU disciplines of Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Saddle Seat and Western along with their respective practices will be surveyed. Points concerning horse behavior, care of the domesticated horse, developing a professional lexicon and the importance of proper fitting and uses of basic tack will be covered. The course will also explore employment opportunities and practices in the industry.

EQU 117

Theory of Performance Hrs Hlth Mgmt

3.00

Students will explore management and treatment protocols for performance horses. Identification and administration methods and dosage for equine drugs and medications associated with the competition or working horse will also be addressed. Equine infectious diseases, injuries, illnesses and complications are a primary focus of the course.

EQU 118

Theory Prfrmnc Horse Hlth Mngmt II

3.00

Students will further explore more elements of practical management skills, the normal horse, health issues, lameness, drugs and medications and competitive drug rules.
Prerequisite: EQU117

EQU 221

Stable Management

3.00

This course focuses on the design and management of safe working equestrian facilities that provide healthy environments for horses and their caretakers. Topics include the behavioral needs of horses and how they influence management methods as well as the design and maintenance of stables and layouts of complete equestrian facilities. Developing management routines for all aspects of the care of the stabled/pastured horse. Identifying skills needed for dealing with machinery, animal waste, emergencies and security. Evaluation of record keeping, hiring of competent employees, and the importance of professionalism in all aspects of your management methods including the working relationship needed with skilled professionals such as your farrier/veterinarian.
Prerequisite - EQU111 (or EQU 112) , EQU 113 and EQU 118

EQU 403

Equine General Studies Senior Smnr

3.00

Students enrolled in Equine General Studies Senior Seminar will actively engage in researching, developing, refining and evaluating a comprehensive, student generated portfolio within their chosen concentration. The student will work collaboratively with both their peers and with faculty currently teaching coursework in their Equine General Studies concentration. In Addition, students will be engaged in practical application of their concentration through real world experiences facilitated by the course instructor.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing and Successful completion of the EQGS Proficiency Examination

EQU 415

Equestrian Senior Portfolio

2.00

Students will complete their required EQA, EQS, and EQGS portfolio during the class. Reflective writing and a through understanding of program objectives for the equestrian studies major are a focus of this course.
Corequisites: EQA420, EQS411 or EQU403

MIS 125

Productivity Tools

3.00

Students will learn basic skills involving the applications of word processing, database, spreadsheet, presentations, and e-mail using the Office 2013 suite. Students will be exposed to employment considerations and new administrative features. Several of the specific components will include: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.

From the blog

Why is having a full equine science education important? A question posed by Betts Coup at the beginning of her 9-page article published in National Horseman last month titled “The Equestrian Studies Program at William Woods University: Tradition and Evolution.” The article explores the rich history of the equestrian science degree at William Woods University […]

In a post on the William Woods University Equestrian Studies Facebook page in June, we linked to the National Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Equine Industry. This survey will be used in a number of ways, but it had many asking what exactly is a global impact study? And how will this kind of […]